splendour of the seas - newbie questions

[nevercruised]

We are considering a mediterranean cruise on the Splendour. We've never cruised before and frankly are a little nervous about spending a good portion of a european vacation on a cruise rather than doing our own land travel... Has anyone overcome a similar nervousness, taken the cruise, and lived to rave about it? or to regret it?

My main question is about the state rooms. We are not particularly picky when we travel so I think we would be OK with an inside stateroom. What's the main difference? on some lines I've seen where twin beds can be pushed together in an inside room. Is this true on the Splendour? If we try to do the room on the cheap, are we missing any advantages other than a view? (is there a difference in service?)

[oppis]

We have done the Splendour on her Transatlantic Crossing last november, see my review on: www.oppermann-wuppertal.de with the link: Atlantik 2005. It´s also in english and with many pictures.

The cabins are small and when we arrived, the beds stood together, but we asked the stateroom attendant, to arrange both to the walls. So we had more space to step in or out the bed in the middle.
We never book an outside or balcony cabin, never had problems with an inside. The price difference can be used for different other things and we prefer sleeping in total darkness.
But many people have another opinion and they only want to book balcony cabins, to see the sun coming up in the morning, to sit on the balcony for a few quite moments. But it also can be the wrong decision. Friends, having been together with us on the Radiance last month to Hawaii, were surrounded by cigar smokers and could not use their balcony. And they had no chance to change the cabin, because smoking is allowd outside.
We always are nervous before a cruise. But we know, we get a good value for our money and the mediterranian is worth a visit, especially on a cruise ship.There is no better way to get from one country to the other, than on a cruise ship.
You will love it.

Best regards
Marita